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Franklin names Brent Pry as Penn State's defensive coordinator

Photo by AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

(State College) -- Penn State Coach James Franklin has named Brent Pry as associate head coach and defensive coordinator, one day after Bob Shoop left the Lions' coaching staff for Tennessee.

Pry spent the last five seasons on Franklin's staff as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Vanderbilt and Penn State.

He held the title of assistant head coach for the last three seasons.

Additionally, Franklin announced Terry Smith was promoted to assistant head coach while retaining the title of defensive recruiting coordinator and cornerbacks coach.

Defensive line coach Sean Spencer will serve as run game coordinator.

"Brent has had a dramatic impact on our defense and our team for the last five years, and he is very deserving of this opportunity to move into the defensive coordinator position," Franklin said in a press release. "Brent's promotion will help make this a smooth transition and allow us to continue to build one of the top defenses in the country."

As co-defensive coordinator for Penn State, Pry helped direct a unit that had back-to-back top 15 finishes in total defense.

In 2015, the Nittany Lions finished 14th, giving up 324.5 yards per game.

Under Pry's tutelage in 2014, the Penn State defense finished second in FBS in total defense, allowing just 278.7 yards per game, improving 46 spots from the 2013 season when the Lions finished 48th while giving up 381.3 yards per game.

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